(Meth)acrylate-based graft copolymers via cyanoxyl-mediated free-radical polymerization

The versatility and the robust character of the cyanoxyl-mediated polymerization of (meth)acrylic monomers were observed. Results showed that copolymers composed of poly(meth)acrylic-type grafts and a polystyrene backbone can be prepared by the `grafting from' route, from precursor chains bearing arenediazonium salts. The addition of NaOCN triggered an electron transfer which resulted in the initiation of polymerization by phenyl radicals and the growth of grafts under the control of cyanoxyl persistent radicals. Applying this strategy based on the `grafting from' route, well-defined polystyrene-g-polymethyl methacrylate and polystyrene-g-polyacrylic acid copolymers were derived at 50 °C.